Three young people were killed after a Mini Cooper allegedly driven by a 19-year-old student rammed their scooter near Cochin International Airport in Kerala in the early hours of Sunday, 11 October. The victims had reportedly stepped out for tea before the collision near Nedumbassery.
The crash drew attention after eyewitnesses alleged that the driver told people who confronted him that his father would handle the matter. Police arrested the accused, Suhail Sajeev, and booked him for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Investigators are examining allegations of drunk driving and speeding, while state authorities have also ordered action against bars suspected of serving alcohol to the teenager.
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What Happened In The Kochi Airport Crash?
According to police, the collision took place around 1.45 am on the road leading to Cochin International Airport. The Mini Cooper allegedly hit the scooter from behind, throwing its three riders onto the road.
The victims were identified as Devika, 21, from Wayanad; Gopika, 22, from Palakkad; and Ijaz, 21, from Karnataka. All three worked as part-time salespersons near the airport and were also college students. Two died at the scene, while Ijaz was taken to hospital and later died.
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What Did Eyewitnesses Say?
An eyewitness identified as Salim told ANI that residents rushed to the crash site after hearing a loud noise. They stopped the Mini Cooper and confronted the driver, Suhail Sajeev, who allegedly told them that his father would handle the matter.
Another witness, Priyad, said the car had overtaken his two-wheeler at high speed shortly before the collision. He moved aside to avoid being hit and then heard the crash ahead.
The alleged remark drew attention after the accident, but it remains an eyewitness account rather than an independently established statement.
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What Are Police Investigating?
Police said preliminary findings suggested that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. His blood and urine samples were collected for testing, and investigators said they would also check for possible narcotic substance use.
Police are examining CCTV footage, the driver’s social media accounts and videos that purportedly show him driving at speeds exceeding 200 kmph. These videos are being investigated and do not, by themselves, establish the speed of the car at the time of the crash.
Kerala’s Excise Minister also ordered action against bars suspected of serving alcohol to the teenager. The legal drinking age in the state is 23. The investigation into the crash and the circumstances leading up to it is continuing.
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TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened: A Mini Cooper allegedly rammed into a scooter, killing three people.
Who was involved: Three young workers and a 19-year-old driver.
When: 11 October 2026.
Where: Near Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery, Kerala.
What happens next: Police are investigating suspected drunk driving, speeding and the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Why it matters: The case has raised questions about alleged reckless driving and the serving of alcohol to underage customers.
